Convertible stool steps



June 21, 1932. E. B. BECK 1,863,614

CONVERTIBLE STOOL STEP Filed Aug. 23, 1929 A TTORNEYS.

Patented June 21, 1932 UNITED STATES ELMER 2B. BECKOF LITITZ, PENNSYLVANIA CONVERTIBLE STOOL STEPS Application filed August 23, 1929. Serial N0.387,835.

This invention relates to convertible furniture and more particularly to a combination stool and short step-ladder for use in kitchens, libraries and similar places where 6 reference is had to books, wares, or the like, and it is desirable such works of reference or wares be promptly replaced.

The primary object of this invention is to provide an article of the typified character 1 which is readily converted, by a slight pedal movement, from one position of use to the other.

Other objects are to provide a properlybalanced convertible stool-steps which is sturdy in construction, attractive in appearance, comprises but few parts, and that fully justifies all the aims and advantages for which it is designed.

With the foregoing objects in view and which will better appear as this description proceeds, my invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts, as well as certain details of construction hereinafter set forth and claimed; it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment, herein disclosed, may be-made within the scope of what is claimed, without departure from the essential features of said invention.

In the drawing-z Fig. I is a perspective view of my novel convertibly-balanced stool-steps in the collapsed position for use as a stool or bench.

Fig. II is a perspective view showing my improved stool-steps opened up or tumbled into position for use as a steps or ladder.

Fig. III is a sectional view illustrative of the manner in which the stool-steps of my invention is readily converted from one position of use to the other by a slight pedal movement without disturbing its proper balance.

Fig. IV is a perspective view of the main or rigid component of the improved convertible stool-steps.

Fig. V is a perspective view of the movable or balanced component; and,

Fig. VI is a perspective view of a cross-bar or pivot member, hereinafter fully explained.

Referring more in detail to the illustrations my novel combination stool and step .acter, while the rear low-er horizontal 7 is ladder consists of three main -'p arts, namely; a rigid component structure or stoolcomprehensively designated 1, a movable balanced component structure 'or'steps-similarly characterized 2, and a cross-member or pivot component likewise marked 3F.ig. VI.

The stool or stationary component 1 comprises a top 4 supported on front and back legs 5, 6 respectively, rigidly braced together by appropriate horizontals 7, while corner struts 8 are fitted, where they do not interfere with the movements of the steps 2, to ensure added rigidity.

The movable balanced component 2 comprises parallel side members or horses 9 of rocker-like configuration, suitably shaped to provide risers 10 forthe steps 11; and said horses are firmly braced at the back by a stretcher-bar or actuator 12, in advance of which I provide aligned holes 13Fig. V, for a purpose lateron explained.

The cross member or pivot component 3 conveniently consists of a long bolt or rod, headed at one end 14, and screw threaded at the other end to receive a lock nut or nuts 15; with a plurality of spacer sleeves or washers 16.

Having outlined the main structural fea tures of the respective components 1, 2 and 3, Iwill now explain their assembly: being firstly noted that the overeall'width of the balanced steps 2 is of a dimension sufficiently less than that between the stool front legs '5, to freely accommodate the spacer sleeves or washers 16: while said front legs are suitably bored at 17Fig. IVto snugly receive the pivot component 3. j

The steps 11 and stool top 4 may be finished with suitable treads 18 of appropriate charfitted with oneor more buffer stops 19 capable of compressionto absorb impacts, when the steps 2 are folded up as shown inFigs.

I and III.

"Assuming the parts 1, 2 and 3. disconnected, it will be readily understood that the nut1 5 and spacer sleeves 16 are first removed, from the pivot component 3, whereupon said component is-for examplepassed throughthe boring 17 in the right-hand front leg, with a spacer 16 slipped thereon at the inside. Thereupon the step horses 9 are positioned between the stool front legs 5 with the holes 13 registering the borings 17, when the pivot component 3 is passed therethrough, the second spacer sleeve 16 inserted between the lefthand horse 9 and proximate leg 5, whereupon the pivot component 3 is pushed through the boring 17 in said leg and the lock nut or nuts 15 applied.

When the convertible 'stool stepsis c'ollapsed or folded, as shown by Figs. I and III it is adapted for use as a bench orstoolin an obvious manner. Now, :it will bereadily understood from Fig. III that the balanced step component- 2 may be readily moved on the pivot 3 or overbalanced by a slight downwardly+curving pressure of a persons shoe heel 20 against the'stretcher-bar or actuator 12. Or, in other words, when the steps, 2 are rocked or over-b alanced to the position indicated by'dotted lines in Fig. III, said steps will tumblevor fall by gravity to the position shown in Fig. II, without either lifting, turning or disturbing the position of the stool 1, thereby providing a strong steps orshort ladder. Y

The various parts may be madefrom wood, fiber, composition, hardened rubber, pressed paper, andsheetmetal wholly; or. in part; or

in varied combinations thereof, without departure from the. essential features .of :the .invention set forth.

Having thus; described. my invention I claim 1. Convertible stool-steps comprising a stationary structure serviceable as a stool, a balanced stepsfold'able within. the confines of said stool,.a pivot member secured across the stool affordingbearing for the steps, and

a stretcher-bar intermediate thev side components of the steps and rearwardly of the pivotmember, said stretcher bar serving as an actuator .to move the stepsfrom the foldedin: position to service. location by a slight pedal pressure exertedlagainst without disturbing the position of the stool portion aforesaid.

2. Convertible stool-steps comprising a stationary, stool including. atop with front and backlegs rigidly braced by appropriate horizontals, a balanced steps foldable withinthe confines .of said stool, a pivotcomponent I securedbetween the stool front legs affording bearing for the steps, tubular spacers on the pivot componentbetween thestep risers. and front legs, a stretcher-bar. intermediate the step risers. rearwardly adjacent" the pivot member, said steps being a-dapted'for foldingwithinthe-confines of the stool. and movement. to. stair relation by a downwardlycurving pedal pressure exertedagainst the rigid structure adapted for use as a stool, steps foldable Within the confines of said stool, a pivot component secured between the stool front legs afiording bearing for the steps, means preventing lateral movement of the steps relative to the stool, and a stretcherbarintermediate the step risers rearwardly adjacent the pivot member, saidistretcher-bar serving as an actuator to move the steps from within the confines of the stool to stair relation'byla slightpressure exerted thereagainst. 4:. Convertible stool-steps comprising a rigid'structure adapted for use as a stool, a step portion foldable within the confines of said stool, pivot means for said step portion, stop meanspositioning said stepportion when at restwithin the stool withthe greater. portionof the Weight of said step portion to one side of said pivot meansandactuator means secured across. saidstep. portion. and having at leasta portion thereof lying to-theopposite side of sai-d pivot'means from the side to which the Weight .ofthestep portion lies when the step portionis. within. the stool, whereby a slight downwardly-curving pressure on the. actuator means lying to thesaid opposite side of'the pivot point rotates the step portion .fromthe stop means into. service position outside the. confines of the stool. 5. Convertible. stool-steps. comprising a rigid structure. serviceable as a stool, a step portion. rotatable to a. position; within the stool, pivot mean-s securing the step portion to the stool, said pivot meanslying to onesi'de of; the step portionwhereby the step portion is maintained withinthe stool by gravitational action, and actuatormeans forrotating the step portioninto. serviceiposition, said actuator means being spaced laterally from the .pivotmeans whereby a slight downwardly-curving pressure thereon rotates the-step portion against gravitational, action into serviceposition.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed. my nameat Lititz, Pennsylvania, this 19th .day of August, 1929.-

Y ELMER" 'B.- BECK.

stretcher-bar, and buffer stops on the rear horizontal of the stool.

3;Convertible ,stoolrsteps. comprising .a Q 

